Perfect Picture Book Friday: ON THE MOON

INTENDED AUDIENCE: 4 and up (Publisher), but I think children as young as 2 would enjoy this.

GENRE: picture book (fiction)

OPENING and SYNOPSIS: “The Moon is very, very far away. What do you think it would be like to go there?” A young girl takes a trip to the Moon in this fantastic journey.

THEMES/TOPICS: space exploration, moon, astronauts, solar system

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: Although this book is fiction, the author intersperses lots of facts into the narrative. For example, telling children how long it would take to reach the Moon and sharing about the atmosphere (no air here!). I also appreciate that this book is appropriate for the youngest readers. Even a toddler who can recognize the Moon in the sky would enjoy this simple tale.

I visited in a science class one day when they did your oreo moon phases lesson. The kids had a whole lot of fun with that — lots of laughter. And I had a good time cleaning up crumbs! Nice to see a picture book about the moon.

That sounds like such a great book — and the oreo activity is “delicious!” That could also be paired with the poem “The Moon’s the North Wind’s Cookie” which long ago likened the phases of the moon with a cookie being eaten.

I will never forget how thrilling it was to hear Neil Armstrong’s words as he stepped onto the moon’s surface, the first time they were uttered. They have been replayed so many times that they’re part of the international consciousness, even for those of you who weren’t born yet, but to have heard them the very first time was amazing. It would be great if one were sharing this book with a class to have someone who remembers that day come and share what it was like with the kids.

My husband remembers that day, and he was five. It started him on his career path, which ultimately led him to NASA. It’s amazing what an impact these experiences can have, even for the the very young.

What a cool book! Kids especially boys will love this. Like Beth, I remember very well when Armstrong stepped onto the moon. Loved the cover pic…a fun way to talk about history making, to. Thanks Kirsten.